CLUB: One last farewell to a club favourite

Chairman Andrew Jenkins was over in Doncaster on Monday afternoon to say a final farewell to club favourite Bill Green, who passed away following a short illness last month.

Green, 66, was United’s captain during our top flight season in 1974/75 and scored the club’s first ever Division One goal in a 2-0 away win at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of that campaign.

Mr Jenkins said: “I went across to Bill’s funeral with Les O’Neill, together with around 200 other friends from the football family.

“Those who attended with a Carlisle connection were Clive Middlemass, Ray Train, Paul Raven and John Rudge, and we also met up with Phil Brown, Derek Fazackerley and Paul Jewell.

“It was good for us all to exchange stories and memories about Bill and it highlighted for me just how popular he was.”

“Southampton brought their staff up on their team bus and, again, we could see from that how much they are going to miss him,” he continued. “He was head of overseas recruitment with them and he had a network of scouts who reported back to him, so he was very well known and respected down there.

“A shirt from every club he'd worked for and played at was draped over his coffin, and a special mention was given to Carlisle United for the tributes we had paid to him and also for the minute of applause we had for him ahead of the Sunderland game.

“It was a very moving and emotional occasion and it was an honour for Les and myself to be there on behalf of our club. I’m sure everyone’s thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this sad time.”